Electron Transporting Layer Homogeneity for Photosensitive Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members with electron transporting layers face issues of positive memory image generation and potential variation due to the homogeneity of the charge transporting structure, which is affected by the use of curable materials leading to decreased sensitivity and increased memory formation.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic photosensitive member with an electron transporting layer that is a cured layer containing carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms, where the standard deviations of these elements' ratios are controlled to ensure homogeneity, preventing the retention of positive charges and reducing positive memory image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electron transporting substance is incorporated in an undercoating layer to suppress potential variation, then the undercoating layer gains electron transporting capability, but a positive memory image is generated due to positive charge remaining in the electron transporting layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electron transporting layer by controlling the ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms to specific ranges (C: 60-80 at%, N: 10-30 at%, O: 10-30 at%). This parameter optimization allows the layer to maintain electron transporting capability while reducing positive charge retention that causes memory images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining multiple elements (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen) in specific proportions within the electron transporting layer. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of electron transport functionality and reduced positive charge retention, resolving the contradiction between potential variation suppression and memory image generation
2Stability of the object's composition
If a curable material is used for the electron transporting layer to prevent substance dissolution, then the layer maintains structural integrity, but the homogeneity of charge transporting structure decreases and positive memory image occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters (atomic ratios of C, N, O) to achieve a balance where the electron transporting layer maintains structural integrity without excessive crosslinking density. This parameter control ensures both layer stability and homogeneous charge transport structure, preventing positive memory image formation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The controlled electron transporting layer ensures smooth electron transfer and reduces positive memory image generation, maintaining image quality and stability over long-term repeated use.
Implementation Method 1
an electron transporting layer which is a cured layer including carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms
Implementation Method 2
a photosensitive layer which is formed on the electron transporting layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electron transporting layer is a cured layer including carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. When ratios of the number of carbon atoms, ratios of the number of nitrogen atoms, and ratios of the number of oxygen atoms are analyzed at 10 points by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA), the respective standard deviations, σ(C), σ(N) and σ(O), of the ratios of the number of carbon atoms, the ratios of the number of nitrogen atoms and the ratios of the number of oxygen atoms satisfy the following expressions (1) to (3):σ(C)≦1.5 (1),σ(N)≦1.5 (2),andσ(O)≦1.5 (3).